最近，我注意到关于Windows 8(Windows 8)的激烈争论。人们倾向于要么讨厌它，要么喜欢它。没有共享温和的裁决。那些讨厌它的人大多都有同样的抱怨，我认为其中很多都是错误的。这就是为什么我决定分享我对这些论点的看法以及我认为人们对Windows 8(Windows 8)不了解的主要问题。
讨厌 Windows 8(Who Hate Windows 8)的人分享的最常见论点
当您阅读由讨厌 Windows 8 的人撰写的文章、博客文章或评论时，他们总是会分享以下论点：
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我讨厌 Metro——它对鼠标和键盘没用，而且 Metro 应用程序不如桌面应用程序有用。(I hate Metro - it is not useful with a mouse and keyboard and Metro apps are not as useful as desktop applications.)- 首先，Metro 是一个面向触摸的界面，支持鼠标和键盘。所以是的，用手指在触摸屏或平板电脑上使用会更容易。但是，使用鼠标和键盘也不难。您只需要了解右键单击将带来上下文菜单，其中包含每个应用程序的选项以及如何使用右侧的超级按钮。一旦学会了这一点，Metro 就变得易于使用鼠标和键盘。(You just need to learn that a right-click will bring the contextual menu with options for each app and how to use the charms on the right. Once this is learned, Metro becomes easy to use a mouse and keyboard.)是的，Metro 应用不如桌面应用有用。首先，Windows 8 尚未启动，因此可用应用程序的数量很少。其中大部分是测试版和早期原型。有一些很棒的 Metro 应用程序，但在我们看到大量应用程序之前，还需要一段时间，并且需要先启动 Windows 8。但是，桌面完全存在于 Windows 8 中。它的工作方式如您所知，与 Windows 7 相比，它得到了进一步的调整和改进。您不必使用 Metro 应用程序。如果您不喜欢它们，请不要使用它们。继续使用您喜爱的桌面应用程序。它们继续存在并且工作得非常好。(You do not have to use Metro apps. If you do not like them, simply don't use them. Continue to use the Desktop applications you've grown to love. They continue to exist and work incredibly well.)
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我讨厌 Windows 8 中的功能区(I hate the ribbon in Windows 8)- 这是大多数人在 Microsoft Office 2007 中首次引入功能区时所说的。然而，它已成为一种出色的界面范例，使功能更加可见和更易于使用。我们已经发表了一些关于它的有趣文章：Windows 8 分析：新的 Ribbon 界面是否更高效？以及 Windows 8 中的 Windows 资源管理器运行的 12 个原因。如果它们的论据不足以说服您，那么我不确定其他任何东西都会。就个人而言，当 Microsoft Office 2007 推出时，我很感兴趣。一两天的时间里，我很难摆脱旧的界面范式。但是一旦学习完成，我就喜欢上了丝带，它让我非常富有成效。当我在 Windows 8 中看到它时，我不禁感到高兴。如果您使用过较新版本的 Microsoft Office，则在 Windows 8 中使用功能区将毫无问题，无需任何学习曲线。(If you have used the newer versions of Microsoft Office, you will have no trouble using the ribbon in Windows 8, without any learning curve.)
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它需要再教育(It requires re-education)——就我个人而言，我不认为这是一个真正的论点。进化总是需要再教育。如果我们希望计算的未来早日成为现实，我们需要不断地重新教育自己，学习新技术、界面范例等。在 Windows 8 中找到适合自己的方式并不难。你需要学习一些新的键盘快捷键，一些新的手势，然后你就完成了。从 Microsoft Office 2003 升级到 Microsoft Office 2007 时，人们需要进行自我再教育。Microsoft Office 2007 和 2010 都是非常成功的产品。从 Windows 98 到 Windows XP，从 Windows XP 到 Windows 7，人们需要重新教育自己。没有人能与 Windows XP 和 Windows 7 的成功抗衡。
有道理的论点
也有人分享有效的论点。我确实同意他们或其中的一部分：
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开始屏幕很糟糕，我想要重新开始菜单(The Start Screen sucks, I want the Start Menu back)- 就个人而言，我不认为新的开始屏幕很糟糕。旧的开始菜单很拥挤，迫使你滚动很多快捷方式，如果你客观地分析它，它就不是很好。它唯一真正的优点是每个人都知道它，使用它并期望它在那里。
但是，新的开始屏幕确实需要进一步改进，尽管它使搜索速度更快。如果您喜欢在 Windows 7 中使用搜索来查找快捷方式、文件和文件夹，您也可以这样做，有时在 Windows 8 中更快。但是，新的“开始”屏幕确实存在组织问题。我们在分析中强调了一些负面因素： Windows 8 分析：开始屏幕与开始菜单相比是改进吗？我们确实相信微软需要进一步改进，让人们忘记开始菜单。
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触摸屏上的丝带(The ribbon on a touch screen)——这个论点是唯一不能辩论的，在我看来，它是 100% 有效的。Windows 资源管理器和其他带有功能区界面的 Windows 8 程序也将在带有触摸屏的系统和设备上可用。虽然功能区非常适合鼠标和键盘，但它可能不适用于触摸，至少不是在 Windows 8 Release Preview 中实现的方式。微软承诺会在这方面做出一些改变，这将在 Windows 8 的最终版本中得到体现。考虑到微软正在为 Microsoft Office 15 开发触控优化界面，我相信即使是这个问题也会得到解决。可以在此处找到有关 Microsoft Office 所做工作的更多详细信息：独家：Microsoft Office 15 功能和改进(Exclusive: Microsoft Office 15 features and improvements)。
Windows 8讨厌者需要了解Windows 8是关于未来的！
许多Windows 8讨厌者还会说他们不希望在桌面上使用混合界面。(don't want a hybrid interface on a desktop.)他们都忽略了一个非常重要的方面：Windows 8 的主要目的不是用于今天的计算机和设备，而是用于明天的计算机和设备。(the main purpose of Windows 8 is not to be used on today's computers and devices but on those of tomorrow.)当然它可以在今天的设备上运行（它必须），但这不是重点。
如果您关注微软的(Microsoft)演示和演示(demos and presentations)以及某些新闻文章，您很快就会意识到the main role of Windows 8 is to revitalize the hardware and software world. To accelerate the future!加速未来！
微软(Microsoft)不希望Windows 8在经典计算机上使用太多，即使它一开始主要用于这些计算机。微软(Microsoft)希望明天的计算机上安装 Windows 8(Windows 8)。以下是一些需要考虑的计算场景示例，除了明显的平板电脑：
- 带有Windows 8的混合设备，例如Asus Transformer。已经有一个可以双启动Windows 8和Android的原型。另外，阅读这篇关于英特尔原型(Intel prototype)的文章：英特尔展示了运行 Windows 8 的超极本-平板电脑混合(Intel Shows Off Ultrabook-Tablet Hybrid Running Windows 8)。
- 支持触控板手势(gesture support)的笔记本电脑。它已经以原始形式存在于此。有关详细信息，请参阅本文：Windows 8 Release Preview：新的触控板手势支持(Windows 8 Release Preview: New Trackpad Gesture Support)。
- 包括Kinect(Kinect)的笔记本电脑。此处有关现有原型的详细信息：Microsoft 最新的 Kinect 技术家园：便携式计算机(Microsoft's latest home for Kinect technology: portable computers)。
- 带有Kinect(Kinect) for Windows的桌面。这项技术已经存在，我希望Kinect for Windows可以在我的祖国(home country)-罗马尼亚(Romania)- 以便我可以在Windows 8中使用它。由于带有 Kinect 的笔记本电脑和Windows Phone(Kinect)有意义(Windows Phones)，我认为带有Kinect的台式机更有意义。
- (Touch)适用于台式机、笔记本电脑和任何您想将它们连接到的设备的触摸显示器。我们都习惯了无法与之交互的高清显示器。但是，如果它们被集成了Kinect的触摸屏所取代呢？那时的 Windows 8 会更有意义。
为了完成图片，还分享了一些很酷的平板电脑概念。可在此处找到有关此类概念的详细信息：Windows RT、Touch Cover 和 Type Cover 的 Microsoft Surface 动手实践(Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover)。对Windows 8(Windows 8)的完整评估应包括在前面提到的设备上测试其性能和可用性。(performance and usability)
Windows 8高度依赖硬件制造商，比以往构建的任何其他操作系统都更加依赖。(operating system)如果他们创新并为世界带来令人兴奋的新设备，可以利用Windows 8及其功能，那么人们会注意到，软件开发人员会注意到，媒体也会注意到。如果发生这种情况，IT 行业和消费者(IT industry and consumers)都将受益。
Windows 8 -微软有史以来最大的赌注(Microsoft Biggest Bet EVER)！
虽然反对 Windows 8(Windows 8)的人确实有一些有效的论据，但Windows 8并不会像他们所说的那么糟糕。Windows 8的混合特性有很多优点，也有缺点。不等最终版本出现就宣布Windows 8很烂，这有点短视，尤其是当微软(Microsoft)非常公开地宣布最终版本仍有许多变化时。
就个人而言，我非常感谢Microsoft尝试使用Windows 8所做的事情。我注意到从Developer Preview到Release Preview的许多改进，我相信它们会在最终版本中揭示一些有趣的惊喜。我希望我的意见能引起您的共鸣，并说服您在Windows 8发布后才能对其做出最终判断。在我们看到真正的Windows 8新设备之后，不仅仅是原型和想法。
我非常理解并欣赏 Microsoft(understand and appreciate Microsoft)的最终目标(end goal)- 在您的所有设备上提供一种操作系统(operating system)和一种体验：您的手机、Xbox、台式机、笔记本电脑、平板电脑、您还不知道的混合计算设备好像。我祝他们好运。如果他们成功实现了这一愿景，他们将永远改变我们使用计算机和设备的方式。
What Windows 8 Haters Don’t Understand About Windows 8
Lаtely, I notice a strong debate about Windows 8. Рeople tend to еither hate it or love it. Τhere are no moderate verdiсts being shared. Those who hate it share mostly the same complaints, many of which I think are wrong. That'ѕ why I decided to share my view on those arguments and what I believe is the main thing people don't understand aboυt Windows 8.
The Most Common Arguments Shared by People Who Hate Windows 8
When you read articles, blog posts or comments were written by people who hate Windows 8, they invariably share these arguments:
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I hate Metro - it is not useful with a mouse and keyboard and Metro apps are not as useful as desktop applications. - First of all Metro is a touch-oriented interface that offers support for a mouse and keyboard. So yes, it is easier to use with your fingers on a touch screen or a tablet. But, it is not hard to use the mouse and keyboard either. You just need to learn that a right-click will bring the contextual menu with options for each app and how to use the charms on the right. Once this is learned, Metro becomes easy to use a mouse and keyboard. Yes, Metro apps are not as useful as desktop apps. First, Windows 8 is not yet launched so the number of available apps is small. Most of them are beta versions and early prototypes. There are some great Metro apps but until we see a big number of them, it will take a while and Windows 8 needs to be launched first. However, the Desktop is fully present in Windows 8. It works as you know it and it received further tweaks and improvements compared to Windows 7. You do not have to use Metro apps. If you do not like them, simply don't use them. Continue to use the Desktop applications you've grown to love. They continue to exist and work incredibly well.
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I hate the ribbon in Windows 8 - that's what most people said about the ribbon when it was first introduced in Microsoft Office 2007. And yet, it has become a great interface paradigm which makes features more visible and easier to use. We've published some interesting articles about it: Windows 8 Analysis: Is the New Ribbon Interface More Efficient? and 12 Reasons why Windows Explorer in Windows 8 Rocks. If they are not arguments good enough to convince you otherwise, I'm not sure anything else will. Personally, when Microsoft Office 2007 was launched, I was intrigued. For a day or two I had a hard time getting around, and getting rid of the old interface paradigm. But once the learning was done, I loved the ribbon and it made me incredibly productive. When I saw it in Windows 8, I could not help but feel happy. I was productive right away because the same principles are applied and finding my way was easy. If you have used the newer versions of Microsoft Office, you will have no trouble using the ribbon in Windows 8, without any learning curve.
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It requires re-education - Personally, I do not consider this a real argument. Evolution always requires re-education. If we want the future of computing to become a reality sooner rather than later, we need to constantly re-educate ourselves and learn new technologies, interface paradigms, etc. Finding your way in Windows 8 is not that hard. You need to learn some new keyboard shortcuts, some new gestures and you are done. People needed to re-educate themselves when going from Microsoft Office 2003 to Microsoft Office 2007. And Microsoft Office 2007, as well as 2010, are very successful products. People needed to re-educate themselves when going from Windows 98 to Windows XP, and when going from Windows XP to Windows 7. Nobody can contest the success of Windows XP and Windows 7.
Arguments That Do Have a Point
There are people who share valid arguments too. And I do agree with them or portions of them:
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The Start Screen sucks, I want the Start Menu back - Personally, I do not think the new Start Screen sucks. The old Start Menu was crowded, forced you to scroll a lot through shortcuts and not that great if you analyze it objectively. Its only real plus is the fact that everybody knows it, uses it and expects it to be there.
However, the new Start Screen does need further improvements even though it makes search a lot faster. If you love using search to find for shortcuts, files, and folders in Windows 7, you will be able to do the same, sometimes faster in Windows 8. But, the new Start Screen does have issues with how it is organized. We highlighted some negative aspects in our analysis: Windows 8 Analysis: Is the Start Screen an Improvement vs. the Start Menu? and we do believe Microsoft needs to make further improvements to make people forget about the Start Menu.
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The ribbon on a touch screen - This argument is only which cannot be debated and, in my opinion, is 100% valid. Windows Explorer and other Windows 8 programs with a ribbon interface will be available also on systems and devices with touch screens. While the ribbon is great with a mouse and keyboard, it might not be great with touch, at least not the way it is implemented in Windows 8 Release Preview. Microsoft promised to make some changes in this area, that will be revealed in the final version of Windows 8. Considering that Microsoft is developing a touch optimized interface for Microsoft Office 15, I trust that even this problem will be tackled. More details about the work done on Microsoft Office can be found here: Exclusive: Microsoft Office 15 features and improvements.
Windows 8 Haters Need to Understand That Windows 8 is About the Future!
Many Windows 8 haters will also say that they don't want a hybrid interface on a desktop. All of them miss a very important aspect: the main purpose of Windows 8 is not to be used on today's computers and devices but on those of tomorrow. Sure it will work on today's devices (it has to), but that's not the point.
If you pay attention to the demos and presentations made by Microsoft and to certain news articles, you quickly realize that the main role of Windows 8 is to revitalize the hardware and software world. To accelerate the future!
Microsoft doesn't want Windows 8 to be used that much on classic computers, even if it will be used mostly on them at the beginning. Microsoft wants Windows 8 on the computers of tomorrow. Here are a few examples of computing scenarios to consider, except the obvious tablet:
- Hybrid devices such as Asus Transformer, with Windows 8. There's already a prototype that dual boots Windows 8 and Android. Also, read this article about an Intel prototype: Intel Shows Off Ultrabook-Tablet Hybrid Running Windows 8.
- Laptops with trackpad gesture support. It is already here in primitive form. See this article for details: Windows 8 Release Preview: New Trackpad Gesture Support.
- Laptops with Kinect included. Details about existing prototypes here: Microsoft's latest home for Kinect technology: portable computers.
- Desktops with Kinect for Windows. This technology is already here and I wish Kinect for Windows was available in my home country - Romania - so that I can use it with Windows 8. Since laptops and Windows Phones with Kinect make sense, I think desktops with Kinect make even more sense.
- Touch displays for desktops, laptops and whatever device you want to connect them to. We are all used to high definition displays you can't interact with. But what if they were replaced with touch displays, that also integrated Kinect? Windows 8 at that point would make even more sense.
To complete the picture, there are some cool tablet concepts being shared as well. Details about one such concept can be found here: Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover. A complete evaluation of Windows 8 should include testing its performance and usability on devices like those previously mentioned.
Windows 8 is highly dependent on hardware manufacturers, more than any other operating system ever built. If they innovate and bring to the world exciting new devices, that can take advantage of Windows 8 and what it can do, then people will notice, software developers will notice, the press will notice. If this happens, the both the IT industry and consumers will benefit.
Windows 8 - Microsoft Biggest Bet EVER!
While Windows 8 haters do have some valid arguments, Windows 8 is not going to be as awful as they say. There are many pluses to the hybrid nature of Windows 8 as well as there are shortcomings. Declaring that Windows 8 sucks, without waiting for the final version to show up is a bit short-sighted, especially when Microsoft has declared very openly that there are still many changes to come in the final version.
Personally, I very much appreciate what Microsoft is trying to do with Windows 8. I've noticed many improvements from the Developer Preview to the Release Preview and I believe they will reveal some interesting surprises in the final version. I hope that my opinion will resonate with you and convince you to give a final verdict about Windows 8 only after it is launched. After we get to see real new devices with Windows 8, not just prototypes and ideas.
I very much understand and appreciate Microsoft's end goal - one operating system and one experience on all your devices: your phone, your Xbox, your desktop, your laptop, your tablet, your hybrid computing device you don't yet know how it looks like. I wish them good luck. If they succeed with this vision, they will change how we use computers and devices forever.
